HEBE plant named &#39;TULLYSTRAW&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Hebe  plant named ‘TULLYSTRAW’ that is characterized by a compact spreading habit with green foliage and prominent central vein or midrib, and abundant pink flowers through summer and fall. In combination these traits set ‘TULLYSTRAW’ apart from all other varieties of  Hebe  known to the inventor.

GENUS

Hebe

SPECIES

×hybrida

DENOMINATION

‘TULLYSTRAW’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(f) of the application for a grant of European Community Plant Breeders Rights which was filed for the instant plant variety on Jun. 3, 2008, Application Number 2008/1248.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hebe that is grown for use as a flowering plant for use in containers and in the garden and landscape. The new cultivar is known botanically as HEBE×hybrida and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘TULLYSTRAW’.

‘TULLYSTRAW’ is the product of a breeding program started by the inventor in 1998. The breeding program is ongoing, and is conducted at the inventor's nursery in Ballyboughal, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland. The primary focus of the breeding program is to produce new cultivars of Hebe which are extremely compact and which possess colorful foliage and abundant flowers. These characteristics in combination are considered by the inventor to be of most interest to the relevant market.

The breeding of ‘TULLYSTRAW’ proceeded as follows: First, the inventor assembled several potential parent varieties, including the commercially available cultivars ‘Autumn Glory’ (not patented), ‘Marjorie’ (not patented), ‘Margret’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,231), ‘Oratio Beauty’ (not patented), ‘Red Edge’ (not patented), ‘Albicans’ (not patented), ‘Mrs. Winder’ (not patented), ‘Black Beauty’ (not patented), ‘Great Orme’ (not patented), ‘Pink Wand’ (not patented) together with un-named and un-released varieties of the inventor's own development. Specimen plants of each of these varieties were placed in close proximity at the inventor's nursery in order to facilitate natural pollination. Pollination was not controlled and occurred naturally by means of insects and wind. The parentage was not restricted or monitored and may even have involved varieties not listed herein that were outside of the breeding area as a result of insects carrying pollen in. Once mature, seed was collected from these plants without segregation by parent plant. All of the collected seeds were sown and the new variety, ‘TULLYSTRAW’ was selected in the spring of 2004 from amongst the resultant seedlings.

‘TULLYSTRAW’ was selected by the inventor for its combination of compact, spreading habit and pink flowers. The varieties of Hebe which the inventor considers most closely resemble ‘TULLYSTRAW’ are ‘Great Orme’ (which is one of the possible parent varieties) and the variety ‘Kirkii’ (not patented). In comparison with Great Orme’ which has an upright habit and bears purple flowers, ‘TULLYSTRAW’ exhibits a more spreading habit and bears pink flowers. In comparison with ‘Kirkii’ which is green-leafed and white-flowered, ‘TULLYSTRAW’ is also green-leafed but its leaves exhibit a prominent central vein, and the flowers of ‘TULLYSTRAW’ are pink in color.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished by the inventor at the inventor's nursery in 2004. The method of asexual propagation used was softwood cuttings. The inventor has determined that ‘TULLYSTRAW’ stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the characteristics of the new HEBE cultivar ‘TULLYSTRAW’. These traits in combination distinguish this cultivar from all other commercial varieties known to the inventor. ‘TULLYSTRAW’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. HEBE ‘TULLYSTRAW’ exhibits a compact spreading habit.     -   2. HEBE ‘TULLYSTRAW’ blooms profusely.     -   3. The flowers of HEBE ‘TULLYSTRAW’ are pink in color and are         borne through summer and fall.     -   4. HEBE ‘TULLYSTRAW’ exhibits green foliage with a prominent         central vein or midrib to each leaf.     -   5. After 15 months of growth, ‘TULLYSTRAW’ achieves a height of         20 cm and a width of 20 cm.     -   6. At maturity in the landscape, ‘TULLYSTRAW’ is 90 cm in height         and 90 cm in width.     -   7. HEBE ‘TULLYSTRAW’ is hardy to −5° C.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of the new HEBE variety ‘TULLYSTRAW’ showing colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety ‘TULLYSTRAW’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 1 depicts (in the foreground) an entire flowering plant of ‘TULLYSTRAW.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of an inflorescence of ‘TULLYSTRAW’ at the point of maximum pink coloration. The individual flowers nearest the apex of the inflorescence are in pink bud and the oldest flowers at the base have changed to white as they senesce.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 3 depicts a close-up view of an inflorescence of ‘TULLYSTRAW’ as the flowers senesce and turn white towards the apex. The inflorescence shown in this drawing FIG. 3 is approximately one week older than the inflorescence shown in FIG. 2.

All drawings were made of 18 months old plants grown in 1 liter containers out of doors at the inventor's nursery in Ballyboughal, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland. No chemicals were used to treat the plants. All drawings were made using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar ‘TULLYSTRAW’. Data was collected in spring from 15 months old plants grown in 1 liter containers out of doors at the inventor's nursery in Ballyboughal, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland. The color determinations are in accordance with the 2007 edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: -   Genus: HEBE -   Species: ×hybrida. -   Denomination: ‘TULLYSTRAW’. -   Use: flowering plant for use in containers and in the garden and     landscape. -   Parentage: Unknown: ‘TULLYSTRAW’ is a hybrid plant that resulted     from uncontrolled open pollination. -   Plant description:     -   -   Bloom period.—June to September.         -   Plant habit.—Compact, spreading habit.         -   Branching habit.—Freely branching from lower stem. Apical             branches ascending unbranched until branching occurs at 5 cm             from apex.         -   Vigor.—Slow-growing.         -   Plant dimensions at 15 months.—Width 20 cm Height 20 cm.         -   Plant dimensions (at maturity).—Width 90 cm Height 90 cm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy to minus 5° Centigrade.         -   Root system.—Fibrous.         -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using softwood             cuttings.         -   Time to develop roots.—4 weeks at 16-18° Centigrade air             temperature.         -   Crop time.—A minimum of 14 months is needed to produce a             finished flowering plant in a 1 liter container.         -   Recommended growing conditions.—Free draining soil and             planting in full sun or half shade.         -   Disease and pest problems.—Plant is susceptible to root rot             in any poor-draining soil and to downy mildew in conditions             of high humidity and poor air circulation. -   Stem:     -   -   Stem shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Stem dimensions.—Length 18 cm Diameter 0.3 cm.         -   Stem color (new growth).—152B.         -   Stem color (mature stem).—N199B.         -   Stem surface.—Smooth.         -   Internode distance.—11 mm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Type.—Evergreen, remains unchanged in appearance year-round.         -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Shape.—Narrowly elliptic.         -   Curvature.—Slightly carinate.         -   Margins.—Entire.         -   Apex.—Sub-acute.         -   Base.—Truncate.         -   Venation pattern.—Absent, except for prominent midrib.         -   Midrib (upper surface).—Depressed, slight groove.         -   Midrib (lower surface).—Thickened (slightly protruding).         -   Midrib color.—(adaxial surface): 146D.         -   Midrib color.—(abaxial surface): N186C at leaf base, fading             to 146C towards apex.         -   Leaf length.—5.8 cm.         -   Leaf width.—0.8 cm.         -   Texture.—Leathery.         -   Attachment.—Sessile, slightly decurrent.         -   Leaf aspect.—generally slightly erect, tending to semi-erect             towards apex.         -   Leaf bud shape.—Terete.         -   Leaf surfaces (adaxial and abaxial).—Smooth.         -   Leaf margins.—slightly thickened, rounded edge, smooth,             entire. N186C.         -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—young leaf: Between N187A and             N187B, mature leaf: 146B.         -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—young leaf: 18AB, mature leaf:             146A.         -   Fragrance.—Absent. -   Flowers:     -   -   Inflorescence form.—Raceme.         -   Flower arrangement.—Flowers are arranged in whorls, as is             typical of the species and its known cultivars.         -   Inflorescence shape.—Conical, length 6 cm, diameter (at             base) 4.5 cm.         -   Flower development.—In clusters, commencing at base of             raceme.         -   Bud shape.—Elliptic cone.         -   Bud color.—67B.         -   Bud surface.—Smooth.         -   Bud dimensions.—Length: 6 mm Diameter: 1.2 mm.         -   Shape of corolla tube.—Cylindrical.         -   Corolla tube dimensions.—Length: 5 mm Diameter: 1.5 mm.         -   Surface of corolla tube.—Smooth.         -   Corolla tube color.—N155B.         -   Flower dimensions (calyx, corolla tube, and lobes).—Length:             9 mm Diameter: 7 mm.         -   Number of corolla lobes.—Four.         -   Number of petals.—Four.         -   Petal dimensions (excluding corolla).—Length: 4 mm Width:             2.5 mm.         -   Petal apex shape.—Acuminate.         -   Color of petals.—Newly open 67B except basal one-third             N155B; entire petal ages to N155B.         -   Petals fused or unfused.—Petals are basally fused.         -   Shape of petals.—Spatulate.         -   Flower aspect.—Facing outward.         -   Quantity of flowers per whorl.—52.         -   Fragrance.—Not observed.         -   Peduncle dimensions.—Diameter: 2 mm Length: 8 cm.         -   Peduncle shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Peduncle surface.—Smooth.         -   Peduncle color.—152B.         -   Pedicel dimensions.—Length: 2 mm-3 mm Diameter: 0.5 mm.         -   Pedicel shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Pedicel surface.—Smooth.         -   Pedicel color.—137C.         -   Calyx shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Number of sepals.—Four, 2.5 mm in length, 1 mm in width.         -   Fused or unfused.—Basally fused.         -   Sepal color.—143C.         -   Sepal apex.—acuminate.         -   Sepal base.—Cuneate.         -   Sepal surface.—Smooth. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stigma shape.—Narrowly capitate.         -   Stigma dimensions.—Approximately 0.2 mm. in width.         -   Stigma color.—Purple-red.         -   Style shape.—Filiform.         -   Style dimensions.—Length: 9 mm Diameter: <0.5 mm.         -   Style color.—white.         -   Stamens.—Two in number, slightly diverging, fused at the             base, creating a V-shape.         -   Dimensions of stamens.—7 mm in length, <0.5 mm in width.             Stamens are exserted by approximately 6 mm.         -   Color of filament.—White.         -   Anther shape and dimensions.—Apiculate, 0.75 mm in length,             0.25 mm in width.         -   Anther color.—N199B.         -   Pollen amount.—Slight.         -   Pollen color.—white.         -   Ovary shape and position.—Ovoid, Inferior.         -   Ovary dimensions.—Approximately 1 mm long and 0.6 mm in             width. -   Seed: No seed has been observed. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hebe plant named ‘TULLYSTRAW’ as described and illustrated herein. 